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ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM MILLER
TOTAL ACTIONS: 37Updated December 14, 2018

OCTOBER 2018

October 31, 2018Opposed EPA’s ‘Legally Flawed’ Rollback of the Clean Power Plan
A coalition of 19 AGs submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency demanding that the Trump administration withdraw the “Affordable Clean Energy” rule, the administration’s proposed replacement for the Obama-era Clean Power Plan. The AGs’ comment letter includes the most comprehensive analysis published to date on the severe technical errors and extraordinary legal flaws included within the proposed rule. The AGs noted in their comments that the EPA’s proposed rule will lead to as many as 1,630 premature deaths, 120,000 asthma attacks, 140,000 missed school days, and 48,000 lost work days in 2030 compared to the Obama-era Clean Power Plan. The proposed rule will also lead to 15,000 additional cases of upper respiratory problems, as well as a rise in rates of heart and lung disease.
[ Release | Comments | 19 AGs: New York; California; Connecticut; Delaware; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Minnesota; New Mexico; North Carolina; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; Washington, D.C. ]

October 12, 2018Filed an Amicus Brief in Support of MA and NY Exxon Mobil Investigations
A coalition of 20 state attorneys general filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit calling for the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by Exxon Mobil Corp. that seeks to halt the climate change-related investigations brought by New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey on First Amendment grounds. On the same day, a coalition of four former Massachusetts attorneys general filed an amicus brief supporting AG Healey’s right to complete her ongoing investigation based on the office's longstanding authority and responsibility to investigate potential cases of misrepresentation or fraud.
[ Multi-State Amicus Brief | Former AG Amicus Brief | 20 AGs: Delaware; Oregon; California; Connecticut; Hawaii; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Minnesota; Mississippi; New Jersey; New Mexico; North Carolina; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; Washington, D.C. ]

SEPTEMBER 2018

September 13, 2018Sent a Letter to Congress Urging Full Funding for the EPA, Removing Anti-Environmental Riders
A coalition of 13 attorneys general transmitted a letter to the Democratic and Republican leaders of both houses of Congress urging an agreement on a federal budget for fiscal year 2019 that preserves the Environmental Protection Agency’s funding levels relative to its FY 2018 budget. The AGs also argued against including any anti-environmental riders in the budget agreement that would “prohibit, de-fund or otherwise amend key health and environmental protection policies of the Agency.”
[Letter | 13 AGs: New York; California; Delaware; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Jersey; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; and the District of Columbia]

AUGUST 2018

August 27, 2018Sent a letter to EPA, DOT Requesting an Extension of the Public Comment Period for New CAFE Standards
Following the announcement of their intent to file suit against EPA and DOT over fuel efficiency standards, a coalition of 18 AGs sent a letter to EPA Acting-Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Deputy Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Heidi King requesting an extension of the public comment period for the Trump Administration’s new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards. The AGs noted past precedent and argued that the significance and complexity of the Administration’s proposal necessitates a 120-day comment period. The AGs also argued that more public hearings are warranted, and formally requested that at least one public hearing be held in California given the Administration’s plan to revoke California’s Clean Air Act waiver.[Letter | 18 AGs: California; Connecticut; Delaware; Iowa; Illinois; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Minnesota; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; District of Columbia]

August 23, 2018Submitted comments opposing EPA’s Proposal to Gut Chemical Safety Risk Management Rule
A coalition of 12 AGs submitted comments to the EPA arguing against the Agency’s proposal to roll back significant components of the Chemical Accident Safety Rule. The targeted provisions include a requirement that companies share information about the dangerous chemicals they produce and to take accident prevention measures. The attorneys general called on EPA to abandon the rollback because the proposal threatens the safety of workers, first responders and surrounding communities and is unlawful under the Clean Air Act.

The AGs’ comments came less than a week after the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of a coalition of state attorneys general that had previously sued the EPA over the Agency’s decision to delay implementation of the Risk Management Rule for 19 months.[Release| Comments | 12 AGs: New York; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Jersey; New Mexico; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington]

August 21, 2018Issued Statements Opposing EPA’s CPP Replacement
Eight attorneys general issued statements opposing the EPA’s Clean Power Plan Replacement, the so called “Affordable Clean Energy” rule. The AGs noted that the Trump Administration’s new replacement to the Obama-era rule limiting greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. electricity sector would result in increased GHG emissions from the coal industry -- exacerbating climate change, rather than mitigating it. The AGs promised legal action if the Administration fails to abandon its current proposal.[Release| 8 AGs: California; Connecticut; Illinois; Iowa; Massachusetts; Maryland; New York; Virginia]

August 17, 2018Submitted Comments Rejecting EPA’s Proposed Anti-Science Rule
After AGs wrote letters to EPA and the National Academy of Sciences and testified in opposition to a proposal to undermine the use of science in EPA rulemaking, a coalition of 16 AGs submitted comments to the EPA demanding the Agency pull back the proposed rule. EPA’s proposed rule would limit EPA reliance on scientific studies that do not provide public access to all underlying data and methodologies, a move that would prevent the agency from using peer-reviewed research into the health effects of pollution and human exposure to harmful substances.

The AGs noted that it is common practice to keep the medical histories of individuals participating in such studies confidential, and argued that EPA’s proposal has less to do with improving “transparency” than excluding “the science underpinning EPA action to protect the environment and our citizens from harm.” The AGs also argued that EPA’s proposed rule runs contrary to existing federal law requiring the Agency to consider the best science available in the development of new rules.[ Release | Comments | 16 AGs: New York; New Jersey; California; Connecticut; Delaware; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Minnesota; North Carolina; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Washington; District of Columbia]

August 13, 2018Submitted Comments Opposing EPA’s Plan to Change how it Evaluates the Costs and Benefits of New Regulations
A coalition of 13 AGs submitted comments to the EPA asking the Agency to drop a proposed rule to change how it determines the costs and benefits associated with new regulations. The AGs argued that EPA’s proposed rule would allow it to prioritize the cost of compliance for regulated industries over public health concerns. The AGs raised concerns that the EPA is attempting to curtail its ability to calculate the economic benefits associated with limiting pollution and human exposure to harmful substances, while also enabling the agency to place greater weight on the costs of regulatory compliance.

The AGs also noted that the EPA has failed to provide evidence establishing the necessity of a comprehensive review of its methodology for calculating the costs and benefits of regulatory compliance, noting that EPA’s proposed rule seems to pave the way for the consideration of factors that Congress did not intend for it to consider. The AGs explained that this would lead to the promulgation of rules that are “arbitrary and capricious” according to the American Procedure Act.[Release | Comments | 12 AGs: New York; California; Illinois; Iowa; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Jersey; Oregon; Vermont; Washington; District of Columbia]

August 2, 2018Announced intention to file suit against the EPA, DOT over Car Emissions Standards
A coalition of 20 Attorneys General announced that they were prepared to fight the Trump Administration’s proposal to revoke California’s waiver under the Clean Air Act, which allows the State to set its own emissions standard for greenhouse gas emissions. The AGs announced that they are also prepared for a legal battle over the Administration’s proposal to weaken emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks for model years 2021 through 2026.

12 States and the District of Columbia have adopted the emissions standards set by California, which is the only State that is able to set its own standard under federal law. AGs from all 12 States and the District of Columbia joined the coalition.
[Statement | 20 AGs: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia]

JULY 2018

July 26, 2018Filed Amicus Brief Challenging Appellate Court Ruling on HFC Prohibition
A coalition of 18 Attorneys General filed an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to overturn a divided U.S. District Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in Mexichem Flour vs. EPA (2017). Relying on a strained reading of the Clean Air Act, a divided lower court ruled that EPA does not have the authority to phase out the use of hydroflourocarbons (HFCs) in air conditioning and refrigerants, even though HFCs are potent greenhouse gases (“air pollutants” under the Clean Air Act) that contribute significantly to climate change.

In their brief, the AGs advanced a compelling argument that the lower court erred in its reading of Section 612 of the Clean Air Act. They joined with environmental and industry petitioners in requesting Supreme Court review.
[Amicus Brief | 18 AGs: Massachusetts; Connecticut; Delaware; Hawai’i; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Minnesota; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; and the District of Columbia]

JUNE 2018

June 27, 2018Filed Amicus Brief Objecting to Removal of Independent Scientists from Advisory Committees
A coalition of 9 Attorneys General filed an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs in Physicians for Social Responsibility, et al. v. E. Scott Pruitt objecting to the removal of independent scientists from EPA’s Science Advisory Board. The AGs noted that EPA’s new directive “Strengthening and Improving Membership on EPA Advisory Committees” used the pretense of potential conflicts of interest to force scientists receiving EPA funding for academic research to resign their advisory board positions, “despite the lack of any documented ethical problems” and decades of EPA precedent.

The AGs noted that EPA’s directive does not apply to industry-funded or industry-employed members of the Science Advisory Board, including members that represent private interests well within the scope of EPA’s regulatory authority. As a result of the directive, industry affiliated members now comprise 70 percent of the Science Advisory Board, up from 40 percent previously.
[Amicus Brief | 9 AGs: Washington; California; Illinois; Iowa; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Jersey; New York; and Oregon]

MAY 2018

May 7, 2018Submitted letter to EPA Administrator on Proposal to Limit Science in Rulemaking
Eight attorneys general submitted a letter to Administrator Scott Pruitt requesting that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) halt its proposed rule to limit the use of scientific evidence in rulemakings. The letter also urged EPA to consult with the National Academies of Sciences before moving forward with any proposed changes to how EPA uses science in its regulatory process. In the event that EPA is unwilling to withdraw the proposal, the attorneys general also requested an extension of time for filing comments.
[ Release | Letter | 8 AGs: California; Delaware; Iowa; Maine; Minnesota; New York; Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C.]

May 2, 2018Filed Comments Challenging Proposed Rollbacks of Penalties for Fuel Economy Violations
Thirteen attorneys general submitted comments to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over a proposal to cut by over 60 percent the penalty to automakers for violating national fuel economy standards. The AGs argued that NHTSA has no authority to reduce the penalty, and that the rollback is "arbitrary and capricious," and will undermine national fuel economy standards by slashing the penalties that incentivize automakers to comply with them.
[Comments |13 AGs:California; Delaware; Illinois; Iowa; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Jersey; New York; Oregon; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; and Washington, D.C.]

April 26, 2018Filed Comments to Defend the Clean Power Plan
Nineteen attorneys general filed comments with the EPA to defend the Clean Power Plan (CPP) and oppose the "unlawful and unsupported" repeal proposed by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "EPA's proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan is contrary to the Clean Air Act and arbitrary and capricious. To propose to repeal the Plan-without having first put in place a replacement rule that requires equivalent or greater pollution reductions-is nothing less than an abdication of EPA's duty to protect public health and welfare from what it has recognized to be the nation's most urgent environmental threat," wrote the attorneys general.
[Release | Comments | 19 AGs: California; Connecticut; Delaware; Hawai'i; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; North Carolina; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; and Washington, D.C.]

April 5, 2018Sued EPA For Failing to Control Methane Pollution
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and 14 other attorneys general "filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for ignoring its legal duty to control emissions of methane – an extremely potent greenhouse gas – from existing oil and gas operations. Specifically, the suit charges that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt has violated the federal Clean Air Act by 'unreasonably delaying' its mandatory obligation under the Act to control methane emissions from these operations."
[Release | Complaint | 15 AGs: California; Connecticut; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

April 3, 2018Vowed to Oppose Vehicle Emissions Standards Rollback in Declaration with Mayors
State attorneys general were joined by mayors nationwide today in releasing a declaration vowing to challenge the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) latest rollback -- national clean car standards -- in order to protect the environment and their residents from unhealthy air. The declaration from more than 50 cities and over 25 states makes clear their opposition to the rollback of a federal rule that sets targets for an increasingly clean, efficient and high-performance vehicle fleet through model year 2025.
[Release | Declaration | 12 AGs: Connecticut; Delaware; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Virginia; Washington, D.C.]

MARCH 2018

March 9, 2018Urged Congress to Fund EPA, Strip Anti-Environment Riders from Budget
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman led a coalition of 14 attorneys general in sending a letter to congressional leaders urging them "to ensure that funding for the Environmental Protection Agency is maintained at least at its FY 2017 levels, that EPA’s vital core and specific programs receive necessary continued funding, and that all anti-environmental riders that would prohibit, de-fund or otherwise amend key health and environmental protection policies of the Agency are omitted from the spending measure."
[Comments | 14 AGs: California; Delaware; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Jersey; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Virginia; Washington, D.C.]

January 31, 2018Filed Amicus Brief to Restore Air Pollution Funds to Federal Harley-Davidson Settlement
In U.S. District Court, District of Columbia, a coalition of 11 attorneys general "filed an amicus brief opposing the elimination of $3 million in funding for clean air projects from a proposed settlement between the federal government and Harley-Davidson. The proposed settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Harley-Davidson stems from a complaint filed by the DOJ on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) arguing that Harley-Davidson manufactured and sold 'tuners' that once installed, caused motorcycles to emit excess amounts of certain harmful air pollutants, including hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides."
[Release| Amicus brief | 11 AGs: Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

DECEMBER 2017

December 20, 2017Wrote Letter to Congress Opposing Steep EPA Budget Cuts, Anti-Environment Riders
Twelve attorneys general, led by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, sent a letter to congressional leaders opposing steep cuts in the EPA's Fiscal Year 2018 budget. The House-passed budget bill cuts EPA's funding by $650 million, while the Senate-passed legislation calls for a $150 million decrease. Both would give the Agency its smallest operating budget in more than 30 years.
[Release| Letter to Congress | 12 AGs: California; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Virginia; Washington, D.C.]

December 12, 2017Opposed Dept. of Justice's Harley Davidson Consent Decree Lacking Mitigation
Attorneys general say the proposed Consent Decree does not satisfy the applicable standard for entry of a consent decrees and does not serve the public interest.
[Notice of Intent to File Amicus Brief | 9 AGs: Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington]

December 5, 2017Sued EPA For Flouting Clean Air Requirements
In District Court, Northern District of California, attorneys general sued EPA "for failing to meet the Clean Air Act’s statutory deadline for designating areas of the country impacted by unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone (commonly referred to as smog)...With this suit, the coalition makes good on its pledge to sue the EPA if it failed to meet this key statutory and public health requirement."
[Release | Complaint | 15 AGs: California; Connecticut; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Minnesota; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

OCTOBER 2017

October 18, 2017Called on Congress to Reinstate Flood Standard In Wake of Devastating Hurricanes
Attorneys general urged Congress "to act to reduce the public safety risks and costs of future floods on Americans...specifically...to enact an updated federal flood standard that would direct federal agencies to require additional risk-reduction and resiliency measures – that take into account the latest scientific information on flood risks, management, and planning – for any federal project proposed in a flood prone area."
[Letter to Congress | 6 AGs: California; Illinois; Iowa; Maryland; New York; Washington, D.C.]

October 5, 2017Pledged Lawsuit Against EPA For Ignoring Key Clean Air Deadline
Attorneys general filed a notice of intent to sue the EPA "for failing to meet the Clean Air Act’s statutory deadline for designating areas of the country impacted by unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone (known as smog)...The designation of areas with unhealthy smog levels plays a key role under the Clean Air Act in addressing the pollutant’s severe harms to public health, triggering requirements for state-specific plans and deadlines to reduce pollution in the designated areas."
[Release |Notice of Intent to Sue | 14 AGs: California; Connecticut; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Massachusetts; Minnesota; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

SEPTEMBER 2017

September 20, 2017Sued Administration for Illegal Delay of Vehicle Emissions Rule
In District Court, Northern District of California, attorneys general sued the Federal Highway Administration and the Department of Transportation "for their illegal delay of a regulation that would lead to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles on federal highways across the country. The delayed regulation, known as the Greenhouse Gas Performance Measure, requires all states to measure and track greenhouse gas emissions and set locally-appropriate targets."
[Release | Complaint |8 AGs: California; Iowa; Maryland; Massachusetts; Minnesota; Oregon; Vermont; Washington]

AUGUST 2017

August 31, 2017Called on EPA Administrator Pruitt to Retract Erroneous And Inappropriate Clean Power Plan Guidance
"New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman led a coalition of 20 states and localities in urging the retraction of the Environmental Protection Agency’s 'legally incorrect' guidance to States regarding Clean Power Plan implementation -- which was not just legally erroneous, but also flies in the face of Administrator Scott Pruitt’s subsequent agreement to recuse himself from the Clean Power Plan litigation given his conflicts of interest."
[Release | Letter to EPA | 14 AGs: California; Delaware; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Virginia; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

August 25, 2017Filed Comments Requesting DOJ Restore Mitigation in Harley-Davidson Settlement
A coalition of 12 attorneys general filed comments with the U.S. Department of Justice "to object to the proposed decree as amended...to forego a $3 million emissiosn mitigation project included in the original decree...the States request that DOJ and EPA restore the original mitigation project or, alternatively, require Harley-Davidson to mitigate its excess emissions in a manner consistent with the public interest."
[Comments to DOJ | 12 AGs: Delaware; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

August 9, 2017Opposed EPA’s Illegal Proposed Delay of Rule Limiting Methane Emissions
Attorneys general "submitted comments in opposition to EPA's proposed 27-month compliance delay of an important public health rule put forward during the Obama Administration. The methane new source rule now in place limits emissions of this powerful greenhouse gas by encouraging the use of emerging technology in leak monitoring and setting a fixed schedule for monitoring leaks at all well sites and compressor stations."
[Release | Comments to EPA |13 AGs: California; Illinios; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington, D.C.]

July 25, 2017Sued EPA for Illegally Delaying Rule that Protect Communities & First Responders from Chemical Accidents
In D.C. Court of Appeals, attorneys general sued EPA "for illegally delaying a vital rule meant to protect communities, workers, and first responders from dangerous chemical accidents. The rule – the Accidental Release Prevention Requirements or the 'Chemical Accident Safety Rule'– makes critical improvements to Congressionally-mandated protections against explosions, fires, poisonous gas releases, and other accidents at more than 12,000 facilities across the country—including over 200 in New York—that store and use toxic chemicals. "
[Release |Petition for Review | 11 AGs: Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington]

JUNE 2017

June 29, 2017Vowed Lawsuit If EPA Continues Ignoring Legal Duty To Control Methane Pollution
Attorneys general "put the Trump Administration on notice today that they plan to sue if the Administration continues to ignore its legal duty to control emissions of methane – an extremely potent greenhouse gas – from existing oil and gas operations. In a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, the coalition provides the required notice of their intention to sue the Agency for failing to fulfill its mandatory obligation under the Clean Air Act to control methane emissions from existing oil and natural gas sources and for 'unreasonably delaying' the issuance of such controls."
[Release | Intent to Sue Letter | 15 AGs: California; Connecticut; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

June 9, 2017Promised Legal Fight If EPA Moves To Roll Back Key Vehicle Emission Standards
Attorneys general "warned the Trump Administration that any effort to roll back key vehicle emission standards would be met by a 'vigorous' court challenge. In a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, the coalition makes clear that it will take legal action if the EPA attempts to weaken air pollution standards set for passenger cars and light-duty trucks for model years 2022 to 2025."
[Release |Letter to EPA | 14 AGs:Connecticut; Delaware; Hawai'i; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington; Washingon, D.C.]

June 6, 2017Joined National "We Are Still In" Pledge To Maintain Commitments To Paris Climate Agreement
Attorneys general declared they are still committed to the goals outlined in the Paris Climate Accord after President Trump announced the United States would pull out of the agreement.
[Release | Pledge | 19 AGs: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C.]

APRIL 2017

April 26, 2017Opposed Bill Delaying EPA Protections for Ozone Air Quality Standards
Attorneys general urged "Congress to protect critical ozone air quality standards. In letters to the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the coalition detailed its opposition to the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017 (S. 263 / H.R. 806) which would delay the ozone rule promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2015. That rule is expected to result in vital public health benefits."
[Release | Letter to Congress | 16 AGs: California; Connecticut; Delaware; Iowa; Illinois; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Virginia; Vermont; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

April 5, 2017Opposed EPA's Efforts To Stall Clean Power Plan Case
In the D.C. Court of Appeals, attorneys general "filed opposition to the Trump administration’s request to delay court proceedings regarding the Clean Power Plan...after President Trump signed an executive order directing the EPA to review the Clean Power Plan and decide whether to 'suspend, rescind, or revise' it...EPA filed a motion asking the court to hold the litigation in abeyance while the Agency reconsiders the rule."[Release | Opposition to Motion to Hold Proceeding in Abeyance |18 AGs:California; Connecticut; Deleware; Hawai'i; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Minnesota; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; Washington, D.C.]

MARCH 2017

March 30, 2017Urged Congress to Reject Proposals Gutting the EPA
Attorney generals opposed "the proposed federal budget cuts to the EPA and its critical programs...the attorneys general point to the President’s recent proposal to cut 31 percent from the EPA’s budget, which is the biggest cut of any federal agency in the White House 2018 budget, as well as a bill introduced by Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz that would eliminate the EPA entirely on December 31, 2018."
[Release |Letter to Congress | 13 AGs: Connecticut; Hawai'i; Illinois; Iowa; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New York; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington, D.C.]

JANUARY 2017

January 24, 2017Filed to Intervene in EPA Suit to Keep Truck Emissions Rule in Place
In D.C. District Court, attorneys general filed a motion to intervene "to preserve a federal program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and engines...the attorneys general state they have substantial interests in strong, federal greenhouse gas emissions standards because such standards are needed – as part of broader efforts – to secure nationwide emissions reductions that are crucial to mitigate climate impacts that are already being experienced in their states. " [Release |Motion to Intervene | 7 AGs: Connecticut; Iowa; Massachusetts; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington]